Book Talk - Soraya Syed: The Living Script

The Living Script is the first monograph on Soraya Syed, a British pioneer of contemporary Arabic calligraphy. The Living Script is the first monograph on Soraya Syed, a British pioneer of contemporary Arabic calligraphy. Join master calligrapher Soraya Syed next month in conversation with Mujadad Zaman exploring the significance of calligraphy and Soraya's journey to becoming the first British person to receive the ijazah, a license to practice calligraphy, from the Turkish masters Hasan Çelebi and Efdaluddin Kılıç. Her practice brings this ancient craft into film, virtual reality and three-dimensional sculpture. Fully illustrated and centred on key works, Syed will share snippets from book tracing her artistic journey and the state of her craft today. Please note that doors will close shortly before the advertised time so we request that you arrive 15 minutes before the start time. About Soraya Syed Soraya Syed is a British artist and Islamic calligrapher whose work brings a living tradition into contemporary dialogue. In 2005, she became the first Briton to receive an ijazah in calligraphy from the Turkish masters Hasan Çelebi and Efdaluddin Kılıç. Her internationally exhibited practice spans works on paper, sculpture, film, animation and immersive installation. Her first monograph, The Living Script (Skira, 2026), explores her artistic journey alongside essays by leading scholars and curators, reflecting on the craft, spiritual heritage and contemporary possibilities of Arabic calligraphy. About Mujadad Zaman Mujadad Zaman is an academic and passionate about craft. Working in the fields of calligraphy, traditional bread making and folk song, Mujadad is dedicated to showing how craft can help us today rethink learning, ethics and self development. He is Assistant Professor in Education at Boğaziçi University (Türkiye) and works in the history and philosophy of education. Mujadad is a graduate of the LSE, Oxford and holds a PhD in the philosophy of education from Cambridge. About The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts runs from 19 to 29 November 2026, bringing performances, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops to Cambridge's historic colleges, museums, and cultural spaces. Open to everyone, the festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of Islamic arts, and, fifty years on from the landmark 1976 World of Islam Festival, carries that spirit into our own time. Find out more at cfia.co.uk.